Machine for measuring cloth



(No Model.)

. R. E. L.' J; LUV-ELL.

' MACHINE FOR MEASURING CLOTH, 850.

No. 592,636. Patented Oct. 26,1897.

INVENTOR 'Nrrnn ATENT rricn.

ROBERT E. L. J. LOVELL, OF VADIS, WEST VIRGINIA.

:SPEOIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,636, dated October26, 1897.

Application filed April 24, 1897- To all whom, it may concern:

Beit known that LROBERTE. L. J. LovELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Vadis, in the county of Lewis and State of WestVirginia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machinesfor Measuring Cloth, Rope, and the Like; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 1

My invention relates to machines for measuring cloth, rope, and thelike; and it consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, andarrangement of parts, as will be hereinaft-er described and specificallyclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of myimproved 'machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through thesame, and Fig. 3 is a top plan view of said machine.

A in the drawings represents my improved machine, which is adapted to besecured in position on a counter, stand, or other support. The frame ofthe machine comprises a horizontal base portion a, an upper horizontalportion a, a back connecting portion a and a downwardly-extending frontpendent portion a V The rear vertical connecting portion a preferablyextends below the base portion a, as shown at a for the purpose ofengaging the edge of the counter, shelf, or support and thereby steadythe machine. The machine may be secured to the counter in any suitablemanner. Braces a connect the rear end of the base a with the rearvertical portion a and thus further strengthening the frame of themachine. A rod a connects the rear vertical wall a and the front pendentportion or wall a which further strengthens the frame of the machine. Ashaft B is j ournaled at its ends in suitable bearings formed in thefront and rear walls a a as shown in the drawings. The front end of thisshaft extends slightly beyond the front wall a and is provided withawheel O. The'circumference of this wheel is equal to a definite portionof a yard,so that with each revolution of the said wheel 0, which isoperated by the cloth or rope coming in contact with the same in amanner as will be hereinafter described, a certain Serial No. 633,722.(No model.)

amount of cloth will be measured off and the amount indicated 011 thedial on top of the machine, as will now be fully set forth.

The shaft B is provided with a worm-gear l) at a suitable point in itslength, which meshes with a gear-wheel D, which is made of a proper sizeto correspond with the wheel 0. A vertically-sliding shaft E is securedto the gear-wheel D and passes through the rod a and the upperhorizontal portion a. This shaft E extends some distance above the upperhorizontal portion a, so as to enable it to be grasped by the fingers ofthe operator and raised so as to bring the gear-wheel D out ofengagement with the worm gear F. This shaft E is adjusted so as topermit the gearwheel D to properly mesh with the Worm-gear F. When thisadjustment is secured, the same is maintained by a nut or washer e,which is secured to the shaft at the proper place, so as to bear againstthe upper surface of the dial G and prevent the shaft from descendingfarther, and at the same time permitting the shaft to be raised for thepurpose of disengaging the gear-wheel D from the worm F and for turningthe indicator H, which is secured to said shaft, backward when it isdesired to reset the register. The advantage of having the shaft Evertically adjustable is that after one lot of material or rope has beenmeasured off and the amount indicated, the indicator or pointer can beat once returned to the starting-point or 0 and be ready for anotheroperation. This is important, as it is easier to read and determine thenumber of yards which have been measured off from 0 than it is tocalculate from some intermediate point. The advantage of using astationary dial and a movable pointer over using a movable dial and afixed pointer is that it requires less strain on the material beingmeasured to operate the indicator or pointer than it would to revolve adial. Another advantage is that an operator becomes more familiar withthe location of figures upon a dial which is stationary than he doeswith figures on a moving dial. A flat spring I is secured at its ends tothe base a directly beneath the wheel 0, so that it will bear againstthe periphery of said wheel, as indicated in the drawings. The materialto be measured is placed between the spring and the wheel 0 by slightlydepressing said spring and the material drawn forward. The material,being in direct contact with wheel 0, causes the latter to revolve asthe material is drawn forward, which imparts motion to the worm F and tothe gear-wheel D and shaft E and indicator II. A severing device J islocated on the base a at a point to one side and in advance of thespring I. This severing device preferably consists of a rod having asharpened or knife edge j at or near its upper end, so that when adesired quantity of material is measured off the cloth can be slightlyout for tearing or entirely severed by bringing it in contact with thesevering device J.

The machine thus far described is capable of measuring cloth or thelike. Vhen itis desired to measure rope,I employ the attachment K, whichis secured to the base of the machine, preferably,so as to be capable ofbeing turned horizontally. This device, which consists preferably of twohinged plates 7t 7;, is located directly beneath or slightly to one sideof the spring I. The outer end of the plate 7.3 is formed with alaterally-extending arm 73, which latter is formed on its under sidewith a recess 713 to receive the spring I and on its upper surface witha groove 7;, in which the rope being measured rests. The groove 7; is soshaped as to tend to feed or press the rope toward the wheel 0, and thespring keeps the rope in contact with the wheel and thereby causes thesaid wheel to revolve when the rope is drawn forward.

It will be observed that by constructing the front wall in a pendentmanner, so as to have the front of the frame opened beneath this pendentfront wall, the material can be conveniently measured, and that in thecase of measuring cloth the edge of the cloth can extend beyond theinner edge of the spring and wheel, which facilities measuring the same.

It will also be observed that the machine is very compact and light,and, being firmly secured to the counter or other support, is heldsteadily to its work, and, being capable of measuring both cloth andrope, will be found a very convenient and useful machine.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination with a clothaneasuring machine, of a flat spring bentinto the form of a loop being secured at its ends to the base of themachine beneath the cloth-holding wheel so as to come in contact withsaid wheel and a rope holding and guiding device comprising two hingedplates It It, the outer end of the plate 70' having laterally-extendingarms 70 provided with a recess 70 to receive the flat spring and with agrooved plate 70 in which the rope rests, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

ROBERT E. L. J. LOVELL.

lVitnesses:

A. D. DENT, EMRY HALL.

